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Saturday, October 23, 2010

After I posted on the beautiful renovation that I have been tracking over the past year (original post here), I got a nice email from the owner of the house letting me know that the landscape and the shutter color decision were still works in progress. Although I have posted countless homes on my blog, this was a first; I don’t think I have ever heard from a homeowner who actually lives in one of the houses, and thankfully the homeowner of this particular house was pleased with the post!

Here is the house as it appeared one morning this week (an iphone photo, so not the best quality). I am not sure whether morning is the best light to capture this house, but it happens to be the time when I walk my dog. The homeowner said that the addition of the grass sod was a huge psychological boost given that he had been living with dirt and pine straw for so long! It really grounds the house to its environment, in my opinion.

It looks like they are testing out the darker tone on the shutters.

So, readers, what do ‘we’ think: the dark shutters or the light shutters? Here is a side by side to aid in your vote:

As you can see, different lighting conditions but hopefully you can get an idea. I loved the tone on tone, but I am leaning towards the darker toned shutters.

Another interesting piece of information - after posting about this house, I learned that San Marco lime wash paint was used on the exterior. San Marco seems to be the 'go to' company for many top architects and designers when striving to create beautiful paint finishes. Click here to go to the website for San Marco, which offers a full range of interior and exterior mineral based paints.

I like how the darker ties in all the green in the landscaping to the house. The tone on tone is almost too tone on tone in my opinion, although it does tie in well to the columns on the portico. But, I am definitely a fan of the green.

I definitely like the darker shutters. It breaks up the facade and gives it some pop, otherwise all you end up looking at is the front door, which would be a shame because the whole house is gorgeous.

BTW, I just learned about your blog about 6 months ago and have been following it faithfully ever since. I love everything you post and really appreciate all the photo references! I can't wait to see your home when it's finished! Keep up the great work.

I definitely like the tone on tone. With the green grass and the two trees that are planted grow big, the house will have warm youthfulness to it and will be effortlessly elegant over the years. With the green shutters, green grass and the green from the tress it will look more harsh over the time.

I really like the tone on tone, but wonder if they might get lost on the house... but the dark may be too much. So how about both? I've seen this on some houses - dark shutter on bottom, lighter on top.

Holly, Thanks for the update. I definitely like the darker shutters. I work with Parkinson Building Group here in Little Rock on a lot of his projects and we are now researching this finish. We also did a follow up to this post on his blog. As always, you are a wealth of information. Have a great weekend. Mona

Love the lighter shutters as it gives a much softer feel, adds a slightly weathered french touch. Maybe they should try a mid tone, a gray/blue/green or a deep putty perhaps.Super blog full of inspiration.Many thanksEmma

I generally prefer a contrasting color with shutters, however, in this case I really do like the tone on tone better (with the dark green door for a little kick). I feel that the darker shutters are more "standard colonial" whereas the lighter ones really look more authentic for this stunning home.

I like the idea of the light shutters, but they are just TOO light. They need to be a darker shade to complement the home IMHO. So, in this case, i prefer the dark. Holly, are they adding any shutters to the top windows? I think the home needs them.

Well, first off the home is a lovey design. Either shutter color would work but I vote for the light one. Yes it blends in but I like the tone on tone look. I would do a soft color if I wanted color. Rather a color wash look that the French do so well.

The darker shutters strike too strong a contrast. I would love to see a tone pulled from the roof color myself as the lighter shutters are too washed out. Sort of like Goldilocks--one's too dark and one's too light.

It is so interesting how the shutters and the color of the house really define it architecturally. I have seen this time and time again in Atlanta renovations; you can take a Colonial or Georgian house and make it 'French' with windows and shutters.

I should have done a poll - although I get the sense that tone and tone and dark shutters are neck in neck, with a slight advantage to dark from the number of votes.

I agree with Susan S. . . the dark ones (green? black?) are too stark a contrast with such an elegant house. They detract rather than add in this instance I think. The tone on tone are too light for me and almost disappear. I think a darker neutral would be perfect - sort of a dark french taupe color picking up the color of the lime wash but darker by a number of shades . .

I like them both; the darker a bit better.....but the main thing to me with shutters is the importance of their being the right size to actually close and cover the window; and have them be operable. Otherwise,; they are just "stuck-on falsies" in my opinion. I can't tell if these are the right size. I hope they are! And I hope they operate!Lovely house; I agree it needs more landscaping, but that can be gradual. The finish is divine! I have the same thing on mine......(House Beautiful September issue)!! (Pardon the brag)!!

Tough decision. As you know, I generally lean towards more contrast, but am leaning towards the lighter shutters in this scenario. It may just be the morning light though. The grass seems "so" dark. I think the comparison would be easier (better?) if the juxtaposed pictures showed more of the lawn. The lawn seems to be what's driving folks towards the lighter configuration.

Very interesting observations. I actually cropped out the lawn in the pictures so it wouldn't influence the vote - as I have no picture of the house with light shutters and lawn (it wasn't installed yet).

The morning light makes the lawn quite dark. I just don't ever seem to be in that area when the light would be better. The lawn definitely had an impact on the look and feel of the house - both from a color perspective and making the whole project seem more finished. The power of landscaping!

Penelope, a well deserved 'brag'! I am going to dig out my HB September issue and check it out!

You have included a photo of my Montecito home in a prior pos ...I would suggest a third alternative here. I prefer the lighter side, but there needs to be more contrast. Perhaps the shutters in the same shade as the body but about 5 or 6 tones darker/deeper or whatever it takes to make them not really "pop" but at least accomplish all that such a great detail can add. I feel like they are just getting lost in the shuffle here. And then, going with the lighter choice, I would also have the front door and transoms relate more to the body color and shutters. So rather than popping the front door which reads rather small, with what I think I am reading as a dark green, I would keep it in the family so to speak and go with something in a rich taupe or brown tone. Delete the white transoms surrounds, painting them the same color as the door to give this area more heft and balance. Just another opinion for what it's worth. Also, have you heard of Sydney Harbour Paints...they have fabulous lime wash products. We have a different climate here in Santa Barbara, but their products are used here on many impressive properties with great effect. Hope you are enjoying a lovely Autumn weekend.

Dark or monochrome light? Neither. I can only think of my favorite Neel Reid shutters on Fairview. A pale faded color but color none the less. I'm sure either could be great. I'd hope they'd repaint every few years.

I like the pop of the dark. But I love the textures of the monochrome. The limewash is a soft look. The mono shutters make for a few more hard lines, more texture.

Both are great. I lean toward the tone on tone but maybe a slightly darker version of the tone on tone. I think the door really stands out with the lighter shutters. So fun that the homeowner contact you.

While the dark shutters make a statement, so do the tone on tone ... You can actually see the details in the tone on tone shutters, while the details fade on the dark shutters. Are the owners planning on placing shutters on every window? I love the tone on tone and think it is a subtle but stunning addition to the exterior.

Is a third choice on the table? I would love to see something in a gray. Otherwise, my vote is for the light because it allows great contrast to the lawn & landscaping and let's my eye to take in the whole house.

I wish there was an in-between color. The lighter color gets lost. I love when the front door makes it's own design statement. I wish the shutters were two shades lighter than the front door- enough to compliment but let the door stand alone.

Holly, Thanks for the wonderful blog on our Spitzmiller & Norris house! Our clients are absolutely wonderful and it is just like them to contact you! I know everyone will be smiling with the final results when the shutters are finally hung in place! Much appreciation to all for your kind comments on the house as we so appreciate it!

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